2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H90.42Sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, left ear, with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H90-H94›H90

ICD-10-CM H90.42
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H90.42 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, left ear, with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. Coders also document this condition as high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Hearing loss.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H90.42
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, left ear, with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side
Short Description
Snsrnrl hear loss, uni, left ear, w unrestr hear cntra side
Parent Code
H90.4
Sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH90-H94Other disorders of ear
CategoryH90Conductive and sensorineural hearing loss
This CodeH90.42Sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, left ear, with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • High frequency sensorineural hearing loss
  • High frequency sensorineural hearing loss in left ear
  • Sensorineural hearing loss in left ear
  • Sensorineural hearing loss of left ear
  • Sensorineural hearing loss of left ear with normal hearing on right side

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR EAR004
Hearing loss
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Hearing Disorders and Deafness

It's frustrating to be unable to hear well enough to enjoy talking with friends or family. Hearing disorders make it hard, but not impossible, to hear. They can often be helped. Deafness can keep you from hearing sound at all.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert H90.42 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
389.13 Neural hear loss, unilat
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
389.14 Central hearing loss
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
389.15 Sensorneur hear loss uni
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
389.17 Sensory hear loss,unilat
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About H90.42Overview

Is H90.42 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, left ear, with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does H90.42 group to?

When sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, left ear, with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 1.5635 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H90.42?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, left ear, with unrestricted hearing on the contralateral side converts to ICD-9-CM 389.13 (neural hear loss, unilat), 389.14 (central hearing loss), and 389.15 (sensorneur hear loss uni). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.